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Liufu Pagoda: Reliquary Casket
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Liufu Pagoda: Reliquary Casket
CHINA, Shanxi, Changzhi; Song dynasty (960–1279); Gold; L: 3.6 cm; Changzhi Municipal Museum, Shanxi, China
This gold reliquary casket was recovered from the underground palace of Liufu Pagoda in 1960. It consists of three parts: a base, body, and lid. It measures 3.6 cm long, 2 cm wide, and 1.5 cm high. The casket stands on a Sumeru base followed by a balustrade that holds it firmly in place. The upper part of the base features repousse lotus petals, and the body and lid are decorated in repousse work featuring floral and peony patterns. The lid is attached to the body by hinges and is in the form of a half cylinder with a highly decorated tympanum-like structure at the front. |
